The My Trail Co Storm UL Jacket is an ultralight 10oz waterproof rain coat built to handle everything from light rains to heavy downpours. The Storm UL comes with features like an adjustable and storable hood, double zipper pit vents, and an adjustable hem. Living in Southern California, it’s not often I get to test rain gear. It’s only on my travels that I get to put such gear to the test. This summer in Iceland, we had four straight days of rain, and many up-close encounters with waterfalls. In this review, I will document my experience with the My Trail Co Storm UL Rain Jacket.

*For those of you unfamiliar with My Trail Co, they are the rebranded version of the now defunct GoLite. GoLite was founded in 1998 and produced some really incredible ultralight gear. The company went bankrupt in 2014, and was fully liquidated. The founders of GoLite launched My Trail Co in 2015, and have been producing ultralight gear under that brand name ever since.

Fabrics and Build

The Storm UL is made of ripstop nylon with a DWR finish. The hood is adjustable with a drawcord closure. This was very handy in Iceland while braving the country’s notorious winds. When not in use, the hood stows away into the collar via a velcro tab on the back.

I wear a size medium in the Storm UL which fits my 5’11” 182lbs frame just about perfect. I have a 42in chest and 31in waist for reference. The Storm UL has two front pockets and an adjustable waist drawcord.

For ventilation, the Storm UL has a pit zip under each arm with two zippers on each. At the wrist of each sleeve, the Storm UL has an adjustable velcro tab to seal your wrists at the cuff.

The interior of the Storm UL is fully seam taped for full waterproofing. There are also two interior storage options.

Performance

This summer I got to fulfill a travel goal by driving Iceland’s Ring Road. It was a little bit of a downer when I saw rain in the forecast for our first four days of the trip. I was lucky to have the Storm UL with me, as it performed flawlessly under hours of a steady rain. We hiked for a few hours around Þingvellir National Park, and I stayed dry the entire time. The rain on at Þingvellir would shift from a light drizzle to a downpour, and the wind could have the rain hitting me from any direction.

I tend to run really hot which makes me avoid rain jackets when possible. I find that I end up sweating with waterproof layers on, which can defeat the purpose of wearing them in the first place. The pit zips on the Storm UL do a great job of keeping the interior of the jacket ventilated. What makes the pit zips so effective is their length. They start at the top of my bicep and end just above the front pockets. This is critical, as it means I don’t have to remove layers while hiking in intermittent rain.

While backpacking and traveling, I like to pack light. This means my waterproof layer also has to double as a wind layer as well. Anyone that has visited Iceland will tell you that the rain and wind can hit at any time. Having a layer that handles both well meant I could get away with wearing the Storm UL in all but really cold weather. The wrist, hood, and waist adjustments allowed me to secure the Storm UL without any pieces or tabs flapping around in the wind. I saw a few people with slickers, ponchos, and umbrellas in that weather…they got destroyed. Luckily most of the tourists came prepared.

Closing Thoughts

At $100, the My Trail Co Storm UL is a very high value pick in the crowded market of outdoor rain jackets. At 10oz, you’ll be hard pressed to find an alternative at this price. The only real knock I can place on the Storm UL is in regards to availability. As of right now, the only way to get a Storm UL is through My Trail Co. This means you won’t be able to try one on unless you live close to their headquarters in Boulder, CO.

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I'm Drew, creator of Trail to Peak. Trail to Peak brings content to life on the web through breath-taking photography and captivating video. I launched Trail to Peak in 2014 with a goal to inspire readers to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. I have traveled to 19 countries, walked Camino de Santiago, hiked the John Muir Trail, trekked through the Andes of Peru, and am constantly seeking new adventures in my home state of California. Joining me on my weekly adventures is my partner, Julia, our son, Owen, and our two goldendoodles, Isla and Lilly.